Nathan Nata Spira

Nathan Nata Spira (Hebrew: נָתָן נָטָע שַׁפִּירָא‎;^[a] 1585 – 20 July 1633) was a Polish rabbi and kabbalist, who served as Chief Rabbi of Kraków. A student of Meir Lublin, Spira played an important role in spreading Isaac Luria's teachings throughout Poland.^[1] Spira was the author of a number of works, most notably the Megaleh Amukot.^[2]

Nathan Nata Spira
Rabbi Spira's grave in the Remah Cemetery, Krakow
Born	1585 (1585)
Died	20 July 1633(1633-07-20) (aged 47–48) Kraków, Poland
Occupation	Chief Rabbi of Kraków
Spouse	Roza (Chayes-Altschuler) Spira
Parent	Solomon Spira

Biography

Spira descended from a rabbinical family, which traced its lineage as far back to Rashi, the noted 11th-century French commentator.^[3] He was named after his grandfather Nathan Nata Spira, who was rabbi in Hrodna and author of Mevo Shearim (1575) and Imrei shefer (1597).^[4][2] His father was Solomon Spira.^[2]

Spira had seven children, three sons and four daughters.^[5] While serving as Chief Rabbi of Kraków, Spira refused a salary.^[2] He is buried in the Old Jewish cemetery in Kazimierz, Krakow.

Notes

1. Also spelled Note (Yiddish: נאָטע‬).